Prospect Talent Score

Probability of Success

History

2006-07: Joe Colborne played in 53 games and accumulated 20 goals and 28 assists. He was also instrumental in helping the Kodiaks win the AJHL title as well as the Doyle Cup. In the Summer of 2007 he participated in the Canadian National Men's Under-18 camp where he was one of only two Junior A players invited to attend.

2007-08: Played for Team Canada West for the World Junior A Challenge in Trail and Nelson, BC from November 5-11, 2007. Scored 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in 5 games and helped his team win the gold medal. Played in the 2007-08 CJAHL Top Prospects game. Finished second in AJHL scoring with 90 points (33 goals, 57 assists) and was named AJHL Playoff MVP. Scored a goal and added 4 assists for 5 points in 5 games at the RBC Cup. Was given the 2008 RBC Canadian Junior Hockey League Player of the Year award.

2008-09: This was the towering centers first season with the University of Denver (WCHA). His rookie campaign resulted in 10 goals and 31 points (fifth among WCHA rookies). He showed his durability, appearing in all 40 of the clubs games. He won All-WCHA Rookie Team honors and Denver’s Top Freshman Award, the Barry Sharp Memorial Award.

2009-10: In 39 games for the University of Denver, Colborne scored 22 goals and added 19 assists for 41 points. He was named to the All-WCHA Third Team. Colborne was twice named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week. He signed his first pro contract in March of 2010, ending his college career.

2010-11: Colborne made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs in the last game of the season – finishing +1 with 1 assist playing just under 19 minutes. He began the season with Boston's AHL affiliate in Providence and was traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs along with a first round pick in February 2011 for puck-moving defenseman Tomas Kaberle. Colborne scored 12 goals with 14 assists and was -16 with 35 PMs in 55 games with Providence. In 20 games with the Toronto Marlies following the trade he had 8 goals with 8 assists and was +2 with 8 PMs. Colborne scored 7 of his 20 goals during the season on the power play.

2011-12: Colborne skated in 10 NHL games with the Maple Leafs in his first season in the Toronto organization and played 65 games for the AHL Marlies. Colborne was recalled from the Marlies in November, getting an assist in his first NHL game and played nine games before returning to the AHL. He later played in one April game and finished the year with 1 goal and 5 assists and was plus-two; averaging 13:41 minutes of ice time with the Leafs. Colborne scored 16 goals with 23 assists and was an even plus/minus with 46 penalty minutes in 65 games for the Marlies. Toronto reached the AHL finals after finishing first in the North Division and Colborne scored 2 goals with 6 assists in 15 playoff games.

Talent Analysis

The smooth skating, 6’5 center, has soft hands, good vision and a wicked release. He also has great puck control which makes him hard to handle when he’s on his game. He oozes potential, but has been unable to put it all together consistently over a long period of time. He’s had some injury troubles over the last few seasons which has hampered his development. Even with his flaws, Colborne is a high-character individual, and is someone willing to put in the work, to improve on his shortcomings.

Future

The Calgary Flames acquired Joe Colborne via trade from the Toronto Maple Leafs in September of 2013. The Calgary native has started his stint with the Flames on the starting lineup and his production will determine whether the big 6’5 center remains on the roster or is assigned to Abbotsford. With the opportunities available with the current lineup, Colborne can dictate his future.

Photo: Winger Ben Hanowski, part of Calgary’s return from Pittsburgh in the Jarome Iginla trade last season, is part of a strong class of rookie forwards in Abbotsford (courtesy of John Rivera/Icon SMI)

Brian Burke, President of Hockey Operations, recently turned up the heat in Calgary by relieving former GM Jay Feaster and Assistant GM John Weisbrod of their duties with the organization.

Photo: Recently recalled to the AHL, Laurent Brossoit will open his rookie pro career in a timeshare with Reto Berra in Abbotsford (courtesy of John Rivera/Icon SMI)

A year can surely make a difference for an NHL organization, and for the Calgary Flames, 2013 could prove to be their lucky year as the team changes directions. Calgary was fortunate enough to acquire eight valuable prospects in the 2013 NHL Draft to build a new foundation.

Photo: Forward Frederik Gauthier was the first selection the Maple Leafs made in the 2013 NHL Draft. Gauthier is a big-bodied forward who plays a good two-way game. (courtesy of Chris So/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Slow and steady development remains the course of action for the Toronto Maple Leafs entering the 2013-14 season. With a patient approach to their draft picks over the last few seasons, the club is now in a large transition phase at the AHL level.

Photo: Forward Tyler Biggs was one of two players the Toronto Maple Leafs selected in first round of the 2011 NHL Draft. (Courtesy of Terry Wilson/OHL Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs earned their first playoff berth in nine years after a successful 2012-13 season which saw them finish fifth overall in the East. Though the Leafs lost in a hard-fought first round series against the Boston Bruins, the future remains bright in Toronto, as they are finally at the end of a lengthy rebuild.

Photo: Defenseman Morgan Rielly maintains his spot as the top prospect for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rielly was selected 5th overall by the Leafs in 2012. (courtesy of Abelimages/Getty Images)

The shortened 2012-13 NHL campaign has seen the Toronto Maple Leafs use a number of developed players throughout the season. Eight players who are 26 years old or younger, have suited up for the Maple Leafs this season – all of them playing vital roles for the Toronto Marlies earlier this season . This is a testament to the process the Maple Leafs have implemented in recent years to develop and promote more prospects.